Every Voice That Awaits Reply

Sam Burton “Long Way Around”

“Long Way Around” is a very 70s sort of song in its arrangement – light country pop with melodramatic yet sort of understated orchestration – but also in its lyrics, which matter-of-factly express the melancholy of the ramblin’ man. Sam Burton sings about a relationship that’s been deferred on account of his wandering with a gentle ambivalence in his voice, as though he’s just starting to realize that he’s been running away from someone who genuinely wants him. The song puts up a front of stoicism but the longing and regret in this music is heavy and unmistakable. The strings carry a lot of this emotional weight but the most endearing element is Burton’s voice, which has a warm, honeyed tone not unlike a young Willie Nelson.

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